The type of flowers that grow by themselves in the wildness
and without any help are defined as "wildflowers". These type of flowers
would only need little or no help at all in their growing process until they
bloom because they have been living on their own for a very long time. There
is a difference between the wildflowers that are found locally, which is
known as "natives", and also wildflowers that are found in the rest of the
world, which are called "naturalized". This article would provide gardeners
some knowledge on how to make the gardening effort fruitful.
1.Definition of
wildflower categories
In the flower market
today, there exists three types of wildflowers which are the annuals. perennials
and finally the biennials. The wildflowers included in the
annual flower seeds are red poppy, cornflower and cosmos and they would
germinate, nurture, flower and die in a short period of time because their life
span is very short. Daisy, lance-leaf coreopsis, and dame's rocket are
perennial flower seeds type wildflowers and their growing processes are
slower compared to the annual wildflowers. As for Biennials, for example Queen
Anne's lace, native Black-Eyed Susan and Sweet William wildflower
characteristics are a cross between the first two types if wildflowers. The
biennial wildflowers would sprout during their first year, and later blossom
during the second year and they wilt away.
2.Time period for planting
In a tropical climate, planting wild
flower seeds just
before the rainy season will ensure the seeds get plenty of moisture in order to
sprout. In places with four seasons, fall and spring planting can be equally
successful.
3.The best location to make the garden bed
You may want to plant a big area or just a small section
of wildflowers. Choose a sunny spot with good drainage. Wildflowers love a great
deal of sunlight.
4.Suitable soil for the
wildflowers
Because they
have been living out in the wild and natural environment for a long time,
therefore they can live and grow in any type of dirt and soil. However, if the
garden land is sterile and contains no nutrition at all, then you should try to
find a better site. Wildflowers are tougher compared to the other plants, and
for that reason it can grow in any type of land available. But, if the land you
want to use is sterile, which not one living thing is growing in it, not even
the unwanted weeds, then it is time you consider a new ground.
5.Getting ready the soil
You may want to improve the soil by adding humus if the
soil at your chosen site is too sandy to retain enough moist. On the other hand,
if the soil is heavy clay, you could add in sand to loosen up the soil.
6.Clearing the land of unwanted plants
After you have chosen the location to plant the
wildflowers, then you will need to loosen the earth a bit before clearing any
unwanted plants that have been living there freely. The only gardening equipment
that you need is the trusty shovel to help you out. Flatten out the site and
make sure all the grass and weeds are cleared from the area, including their
roots. Small rocks do not hinder the growth of the wildflowers but make sure the
bigger rocks are removed.
7.Using the fertilizers
Fertilizing is unnecessary as wildflowers thrive in almost
any type of surrounding. But if you wish to, choose a fertilizer that is low in
nitrogen. Rake it into the soil before you plant the seeds.
8.Determining the amount needed
If you want the flowers to be filling the garden at its peak capacity,
then it is recommended that you plant up to two or three times more than the
normal wildflower seeds
coverage quantity. But always remember putting too much seeds in the land would
create too much competition for nutrient and water, so do not go past the
limit.
9.Planting the seeds
For wildflower plants; it is enough
to use the simplest method, the spit and sand method. Divide the seeds you are
going to plant equally, and put half of it into an empty container. After that,
just mix in about four parts of sand along with the seeds. Avoid using beach
sand since they are not suitable. After mixing, just use your hand or a manual
seeder in order to make the mixture evenly spread on the garden surface. As for
the remaining seeds just plant them in a vertical direction rather than the
first batch which was planted on the horizontal direction. By doing this you
will lessen the chances of you missing out a particular spot. Adding the sand in
the mixture will ensure an even more equal distribution of the wildflower seeds
on the flower bed.
10.Plowing the seeds
After the wildflower seeds are planted, further press them into the
dirt but do not use the rake or mulch them. Use the lawn mower if the garden
area is large, but if the garden is small then just by walking over the area
will do just fine. Pressing the seeds is vital in order for them to germinate
and sprout successfully.
11.Waiting time
As wildflowers are the same as other flower species, they
each take their own different time to germinate. Some species might only need
slightly more than a week while some might need few months.
12.Moisture level
of the loam
When the seeds are in the germinating process, sufficient
moisture is very important so that the new plants can grow well. For it to grow
in a good environment make sure the moisture level is sustained throughout the
first four to six weeks in the garden soil. When you see the wildflowers growing
up, then you can slowly reduce the water amount in the garden.
13.Covering the garden grounds
Mulching, which is the process of covering
the flower and plant bed with compost, is important because it helps keep the
moisture level in the soil high. Gardeners normally use bark chips, dried leaves
or peat moss to make up the organic mulch.
14.Clearing the
weeds
When the
wildflower seeds start to grow bigger, it is likely that unwanted grass and
other plants would appear. Although the weeds and plants would not cause serious
trouble to the wildflower plants, but the garden would look nicer and more
organized once the weeds and unwanted plants are cleared from it.
15.Trouble from the wild
animals
If you are facing
unwanted visits from wild animals such as birds, then it is best to just scare
them off, but if you didn't manage to do so then it is still fine. They would
not cause anything more than minimal damages.
16.Flowers beginning to
bloom
Remember to take pictures with your
camera
17.Cutting away dead and unhealthy parts of the wildflower
By cutting away the dying and unhealthy parts, it will give chances for
the new flowers to grow. If you are aiming for a more luxurious look, then
emphasize the top part of the wildlfower.
18.Replanting the new seeds
After the flowers have fully grown and blossomed, give
the new flower seeds fourteen days for it to mature. You can start spreading the
new seeds once it reaches maturity when the seeds turn hard and they change
color into brownish or black. After that, cut them away and plant them at the
ground for them to grow.
19.Finding a
balance of wildflowers
When
growing wildflowers in the garden you will have to make sure that the
combination of the types of wildflowers matches in terms of their shade of color
and their shape. Besides that, adding green grass can also add to the beauty and
elegance of the wildflowers.
20.Keeping the
leftover seeds
If you find that you have extra seeds then it is best kept in a place
where it is not humid and no sunlight. The
wild flower seeds can be kept from
as long as one to five years depending on their type.